Chapter SEVEN

Harry groaned as the mouse he was using squeaked in pain and scampered across the table, all of the hair having been singed off its body. He lowered his hand and glanced at his Mother. It'd been a month since he would've gone to Hogwarts and he was currently attempting to perform a color change spell without using rune magic.

"I don't think I'm ever going to get the hang of this," he grumbled.

"You need to have a basic knowledge of wizard magic. I know it's harder without a wand, but you'll learn."

"That was supposed to be a color change charm," Harry said exasperatedly. "Now that mouse better hope it's not too cold this winter or it's not going to make it. Heck, it's so ugly now I doubt even a cat would bother eating it. If I can't get a color change charm right, what makes you think I can get the more advanced spells right? I'll probably blow up the house."

Ginny picked up the mouse and set it on the parchment in front of her. The mouse quivered, whether from cold or fear Harry wasn't sure. Ginny placed her hand on the parchment and forced power into the rune.

There was a flash of fire and the parchment and the mouse vanished in a flash of flame. A sprinkling of ash fell to the table. Ginny stared at the ash, horrified.

Lily winced. "I guess it's a good thing that mouse was conjured," she said keeping her voice light and casual.

Ginny brushed the ash off the table. "Yeah," she said shakily. "It probably would've only lasted a few more days anyway."

Lily leaned back in her chair. "I think that's enough practicing the opposite form of magic today. Harry you start working on elven magic. Ginny, use your wand."

The two kids nodded happily and went to work. Lily watched them fondly as they pulled two more mice from a box. As she watched, she reflected on each child's progress.

Ginny was flourishing leaps and bounds. She had been amazing without a wand, able to perform complex transfigurations with a mere gesture. With a wand however, her skill had become ten times greater than it'd been before. After the first few days, Lily had discovered that incantations were merely holding her back. With her wand in hand, she merely needed to point at the object she desired and it changed into something else.

However, while she was a transfiguration prodigy, she had to start at the first year level on Charms and defense. Even though it was more than a little advanced, Lily had begun teaching her nonverbal casting of first year spells. Since she was able to do so with transfiguration, she didn't want her becoming reliant on incantations with the rest of her magic.

To Lily surprise, Harry had already progressed to the second stage in Elven rune magic. He could draw a shield rune in the air with pure light within seconds. Lily had never heard of elves using there light or shadow magic like paper, but it was an ingenious idea.

She watched as Harry traced the outline of a mouse in the air with brown light. With deft movements of his fingers, he surrounded the image of the mouse with tiny flames. Once the circle of flames was complete, he turned the light blue. There was no flash or explosion. The mouse's fur simply turned robin's egg blue. Looking over, Lily saw that Ginny had turned her mouse pea green. She raised an eyebrow.

"Did you do that on purpose?"

Ginny giggled. "I think it looks better this way."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Drop a few dung bombs on it and it'll be something a dog tries to roll in."

Leaning over, Harry drew the image of a tree above Ginny's mouse. At the tip of the tree, he drew a golden sphere of light representing the sun. With a twitch of his fingers, Ginny's mouse grew to the size of a Labrador puppy.

"There," he said smiling at his Mother. "Now the dog won't squish it if he tries to roll in it."

Ginny's eyes gleamed. "Can we find some baby mice and make them that big?"

"NO," Lily said firmly. "What is it with you two and upsetting the natural order? Do you realize how confused those poor mice would be? They wouldn't be able to fit in their houses anymore."

Harry clicked his fingers and the mouse returned to its normal size. "You're right of course, but you have to admit it'd be funny."

Lily sighed and looked up at the clock. "Alright, we've covered potions, transfiguration, and charms. It's almost lunch time. Why don't we get something to eat and we'll pick back up with Defense against the dark arts after lunch."

Harry and Ginny nodded in agreement. "Come on," Lily said standing up. "Let's go." Harry and Ginny followed her into the kitchen.

XXX

In Dumbledore's office, Voldemort tried not to flinch under Dumbledore's piercing gaze.

"Why are you so interested in Harry Evans?" he asked.

"I heard his Mother was a very good student," Voldemort said easily. "I wanted to see if he followed in his Mother's footsteps. Besides, the opportunity to teach the son of Oberon would do nothing but help my career."

Dumbledore frowned. "You are aware that the Wizarding World doesn't think too highly of Harry at the moment are you not?"

Voldemort waved his hand dismissively. "Public opinion is not something to be concerned with Headmaster. It changes as the wind blows. As a politician you must know this."

"Yes," Dumbledore said slowly. "So you are telling me that you want to have Mr. Evans in your class because of the prestige it would bring your career? I would've thought that teaching The-Boy-Who-Lived would have been enough, Quirinus."

Voldemort winced at the mention of that name. He didn't think he'd ever get used to being called Quirinus. It almost made him prefer Tom, almost.

Knowing a rebuke when he heard one, Voldemort spoke carefully. "Headmaster, Longbottom is not the great wizard people portray him to be."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "But he will advance your career. That is what you want isn't it?"

Voldemort was relieved to see the old man's eyes twinkling.

"Headmaster," he said. "I want to be a good teacher. I want to pass on as much knowledge as I can to young minds. Up to this point, I feel that I have not made a large difference in the lives of my students. I want to change that. I want them to remember me as the teacher that did his best to impart knowledge, not the bumbling fool that used to teach a Muggle Studies class a hundred years out of date."

Dumbledore chuckled. "I understand Quirinus. I felt much the same way when I was young." He leaned back in his chair and picked up a lemon drop from the bowl on his desk. Popping the candy into his mouth, he looked at the professor over his half-moon spectacles. "Harry will be here on Halloween. His Mother has decided to home school him this year. If Lily agrees, maybe you can assess his skills at that time."

Voldemort/Quirrell smiled happily. "Thank you Headmaster," he stood. "If you will excuse me, I have a class to prepare for."

Dumbledore watched Quirrell leave his office, a slight smile on his face. It was so good to see teachers taking such an interest in passing on their knowledge.

XXX

Voldemort entered his quarters and closed the door behind him. He sank into the chair in front of the fire with a groan and leaned back comfortably. He'd never imagined teaching to be so difficult.

The mirror next to him flickered. Aeval's face appeared. "Do you have any news for me?"

"The son of Oberon is not coming to Hogwarts this year."

"What?" Aeval's voice was like the snap of a whip. "What do you mean he's not coming to Hogwarts?"

Voldemort remained calm. "Apparently his Mother decided to homeschool him this year. I don't see why you're surprised. Sure, it's been ten years, but The Evans girl obviously wants to make sure he is prepared for anything before allowing him out into the world."

"Just great," Aeval hissed. "Return to Elphame. There is no point in you continuing your position there if the boy is not going to be there."

Voldemort held up a hand. "I will have one chance this year to kill the boy, but I'll have to be careful. Dumbledore is allowing the boy to come for the Halloween feast. I may be able to finish him off then. I have an old distraction left over from the last war I never got to use. Besides, I still need to retrieve the Philosopher's stone."

Aeval gave Voldemort a piercing look. "Do not fail," she hissed. Without another word, her image faded from the mirror.

XXX

Hermione Granger lay on her bed, trying to muffle her sobs in her pillow. She just wanted a friend. Why did the entire world seem so set against her?

All her life she'd been picked on because of her intelligence. When she found out she was a witch, she had hoped that Hogwarts would be the fresh start she so desperately desired.

Instead, to her bitter disappointment, she'd discovered that the Magical world wasn't that different from the nonmagical world. It was full of racism and bigotry, just like the mundane world. To make matters worse, she had found that she was still picked on because of her intelligence. Only now they brought her parents into the insults.

Hermione rolled over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. She hoped some day she could find a friend. She decided she would give it until Halloween. If nothing changed, she would write to her parents and ask to return home.

XXX

Harry, Ginny, and Lily approached the wrought iron gates of Hogwarts. The winged bores adorning the gates appeared to stare at them as they approached.

"Do those do anything?" Ginny asked eyeing the statues nervously.

Lily shrugged. "Not since I've been here. If this was anywhere but Hogwarts, I would assume they were for decoration."

Harry pointed at the tusks protruding from the bores mouths. "Those look like they could do a lot of damage."

Their conversation was interrupted as a tall thin woman approached. Her grey hair was tied up in a severe bun and her green eyes stared at the two children shrewdly. When she turned to Lily, her thin lips turned up in a smile.

"Ms. Evans," she said. "It is good to see you again as always."

"Professor McGonagall," Lily said smiling. "How are you?"

"As well as can be expected," McGonagall said stiffly. She turned to Harry and Ginny. "So these two are the ones, are they?" She eyed Harry's sapphire blue hair and emerald green eyes. "Well, if he does come to Hogwarts, he'll definitely stick out."

"He can use glamour if he needs to," Lily said helpfully.

McGonagall waved her hand. "That is entirely up to him. Now then, we are here to assess their skills in magic. As I have a free period, I shall be testing them in transfiguration first. If you will follow me, we shall head to my classroom."

As Harry entered the castle, he felt the magic surround him. For a second, it was hard to breathe. He forced himself to relax. After a second, the magic receded. He glanced at McGonagall.

"The wards here are strong, but there appear to be worn places in them."

McGonagall looked up sharply. "What do you mean? You aren't telling me you can sense the wards are you?"

"I'm half-elf," Harry said. Elves are fae. As a rule we don't use wands. That means we have to have a greater connection with our magic and we need to be able to sense the magic around us, so we can tap into it if necessary. I can sense your wards. It's like being surrounded by a stone wall, but one that has not been maintained very well. There are cracks and holes in the wards. They're not big yet, but if left unchecked, they will grow over time."

McGonagall was gaping at him. "That's incredible," she said. "I had no idea the fae could sense the wards like that." She turned to Lily.

"Did you know about this?"

"Yes," Lily said. "In addition to the changeling law, the fae used to monitor the wards of Hogwarts to keep the children safe. About three hundred years ago, the Headmaster at the time told them that they didn't need to do that anymore. He said he would make sure that the wards were kept up to date so the fae stopped."

McGonagall let out an exasperated sigh. "Of course that Headmaster obviously didn't tell anyone and we are apparently left with our current situation."

Harry shifted uncomfortably. "I am sorry. I didn't mean to offend."

McGonagall held up a hand to silence him. "No Mr. Evans, that is quite alright. It is better to know these things before it is too late. Here we are," they approached a door that looked like every other.

Pushing open the door, they entered a classroom lined with desks. McGonagall gestured for Harry and Ginny to take a seat. Once they'd done so, she turned to Lily.

"I assume you will want to stay and see your student's progress?"

"Of course."

McGonagall placed a match on the table in front of Harry and Ginny. "I assume you know what to do with this?"

In answer, Harry's hand began to glow. Extending his index finger, he traced it through the air as if drawing on a piece of paper. McGonagall watched stunned as a rune appeared floating above the match. She noticed that the rune looked like a combination match and needle with the eye of the needle at the top, but the blunt end of a match.

The match shimmered as if surrounded by a heat haze.

McGonagall blinked. Where the match had been there was now a long silver needle. She turned to Ginny, doing her best to hide her surprise. "You next, Ms. Weasley."

Ginny drew her wand and pointed it at the match. The match flowed like water. Within seconds, it'd become a gold needle.

"Gold is a Gryffindor color," Ginny said smugly.

McGonagall's lips twitched. "Indeed," she said. "I must say I am impressed with both of you. She drew two mice from inside her cloak.

"This would be the end of year exam for first year. I want you to change these mice into jewlry boxes. Points will be given as to how detailed the box is." She glanced at Harry.

"I am wondering how you will accomplish this since I am sure you have no rune for this yet."

"The runes are just for visualization," Harry said. Sure, it takes longer, but it helps create more lasting transfigurations in the long run." He turned to Ginny.

"Why don't you go first this time?"

Ginny pointed her wand at the mouse. It seemed to dissolve. For a few seconds, they could see through the mouse. They could see the blood flowing through its veins. They could see its tiny heart beating frantically. Then, it was over. A leather jewlry box sat on the table in front of Ginny.

The leather had four distinct animals stitch into it. McGonagall smiled at the image of a red and gold lion, a green and silver snake, a blue and bronze eagle, and yellow and black badger.

"Very good, Ms. Weasley," she said. "Full marks. If you do this well on the rest of these tests, I see no reason you shouldn't be able to advance to second year."

"Thank you professor," Ginny said quietly.

Harry had already begun moving by the time McGonagall turned to him. He traced the image of a mouse in the air surrounded by a circle of flames. Moving swiftly, he traced another circle connected to the first. Inside that circle, he drew the outline of a box.

McGonagall watched as he traced tiny figures two small to see on the outline of the box. Once he was done, she saw his forehead wrinkle as he poured power into the construct. There was a flash of light. When it faded, the mouse was gone. In its place, sat a wooden box. Tiny stones decorated the lid. Looking closer, McGonagall saw the stones formed the image of a small cottage. She smiled at Harry.

"Not quite as detailed as Ms. Weasleys, but still an excellent transfiguration." She turned to Lily.

"You have done well. I expect great things from both of your students."

XXX

The rest of the morning wasn't near as exciting. Harry and Ginny weren't near as proficient in Herbology. However, Lily had helped them keep up with the first year Curriculum.

"If they pass the final exam I see no reason why they shouldn't advance to second year," Professor Sprout said approvingly.

The last class of the morning was Charms. As they approached the classroom, they saw a bushy haired girl running away from the room. They noticed tears running down her face. Frowning, Harry turned to go after her, but was stopped by Lily.

"Don't, you aren't very familiar with the school. You may get lost. I'll follow her. You two go and see Professor Flitwick."

Harry nodded and entered the classroom. The tiny Professor froze when he saw him.

"Ah," he squeaked. "Half-elf I believe."

"Part goblin," Harry responded.

Flitwick chuckled. "Indeed. I believe you are here to be tested in charms."

Harry nodded. "That is correct."

"Alright," Flitwick said. "Let's begin with a color change charm." He drew two mice from a box on his desk.

Harry pointed a finger at the mouse on the left. Blue light washed over the mouse. When it faded, the mouse had turned the blue of ocean water.

"That is most impressive," Flitwick said. "It is a different way of channeling your magic, but so long as you can complete the work, I see no reason you shouldn't be allowed to attend next year."

Flitwick watched as Ginny completed the same task turning her mouse purple. "Silent casting," Flitwick said. "I've never heard of one so young being proficient in that skill."

"Lily saw no point in teaching me to say the spell aloud. She thought that learning nonverbal spell casting as soon as possible would be most beneficial. She said that verbal spell casting was only a learning tool, that you'd expect us to begin learning nonverbal spell casting by sixth year."

"She was right. We would expect you to begin using nonverbal spell casting in sixth year. Well," he said jumping down off the pile of books he was standing on. "I think it is about time for lunch. Come on, I'll lead you two to the great hall."

XXX

After lunch, Harry and Ginny met with Professor Quirrell.

Quirrell smiled kindly at them. "Since you are in first year, I wouldn't expect you to do more defensively than know how to knock someone away from you. Do either of you know the knockback jinx?"

Ginny nodded. "Flipendo," she said.

"Very good," Quirrell said. He turned to Harry. "Do you know the elven equivalent?"

Harry traced a rune in the air. There was a flash and the table they were sitting behind flew across the room.

"Not bad," Quirrell said clapping his hands. "Now, at the end of the year we will have a practical exam, so make sure you are caught up on your bookwork."

XXX

Voldemort watched the two children leave his classroom. He sank into the chair behind his desk feeling exhausted.

So that was the son of Oberon. He was just a boy. How could Aeval expect him to kill a child? He was no threat to anyone. He raised a shaking hand and ran it through his hair.

Out of all the things he had done, he had never killed a child until that night he'd tried to kill the boy when he was a baby. Looking back, he realized how foolish that was. He should've waited until the Longbottom boy was older and killed him when he was certain he was the threat. His own hubris had been his downfall.

His jaw firmed. His hands stopped shaking. He may not like it, but he'd given his word. The boy would die. "It has to be this way," he told himself. "It's for the best. I've already tried to kill a child once. I've already compromised my morals. There's no point in turning back now."

XXX

Lily met with the staff just before the Halloween feast.

"Well," Dumbledore said. "What do you all think?"

"I think they are doing remarkably well," McGonagall said.

"I agree," Flitwick chirped. He turned to Lily. "Teaching Ms. Weasley Nonverbal spell casting was a stroke of genius."

Professor Slughorn spoke up. "They are passable in potions. Not great mind you, but they have brewed perfect potions for first year."

Professor sprout nodded her head. "They are the same in Herbology. I doubt they will be prodigies in the subject, but they have done very well for first years."

Quirrell was the last to speak. "Ginny has done well, but I am concerned with Mr. Evans."

"Oh," Dumbledore said raising an eyebrow.

"His need to draw runes in the air to focus his magic is a handicap. It takes a few seconds that could win or lose a fight. We can speak faster than he can draw."

Dumbledore looked at Lily. "Do you have an answer to this?"

"The runes are just a focus to help him visualize what he wants to happen. If you notice, the runes he draws shows the effect he wants to accomplish. From what I have been able to learn, the runes are connected to light and shadow magic. When the elf is experienced enough, they don't need the runes. They can visualize what they want to happen and it happens."

"How long before he masters Light magic?" Quirrell asked.

"It could be a year or two. This takes greater concentration than drawing the runes."

Dumbledore nodded. "Try and have him learn Light magic as quickly as possible."

Lily nodded. "Of course, Headmaster."

Dumbledore stood. "I think it is time we go to the Great Hall for our delicious feast."

XXX

The Great Hall went silent as Harry and Ginny entered. Every eye turned to stare at them. After a few moments, the students turned back to their meals.

Harry noticed Lily gesturing to them from a small table set up near the Head table.

"Over here you two," she called.

Harry and Ginny made their way over, staring around at the decorations as they came.

Live bats fluttered around the high ceiling. Skeletons wove their way through the great hall, smiling at various students and helping to dish out food. Candles floated around the hall. Each one had been carved into a shape to fit the Holiday. Harry could see a witch, a vampire, a ghoul, and a werewolf.

"What do you think?" Lily asked.

"The werewolf looks more like a Wolfshifter," Harry observed.

"I suppose you have a point," Lily said turning to look at the candle. The candle resembled a creature with a humanoid shape. It had a wolf's head and clawed hands and feet.

"I guess a Wolfshifter looks more intimidating than a werewolf?"

"Did you find the girl?" Harry asked.

Lily shook her head. "I think she went to the girl's bathroom, but I couldn't get her to come out."

Harry frowned. "Did you find out why she was crying?"

"Apparently, she is picked on a lot because of her intelligence.

Harry nodded absently. He wanted to help the girl, but what could he do?

Harry and Ginny enjoyed their first feast at Hogwarts. The meal was just winding down, when Quirrell burst through the doors. His right arm had a gash running from shoulder to wrist. Blood splattered the floor as he limped to the head table.

"Uh Headmaster," he croaked. "There's something in the Dungeons. I don't know what it is, but its claws hurt like hell." So saying, his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

Harry and Ginny communicated with a look. The girl they'd seen earlier had gone to the girl's bathroom. She wouldn't know about the creature. They had to find her. They glanced at Lily who was talking to the Headmaster and trying to calm the students. Hurriedly, they stood from their seats and rushed out of the hall.

In the hallway, they paused to catch their breath. "How do we find her," Ginny asked.

"Well, it's not perfect, but I have an idea." Harry drew a rune in the air. It took Ginny a moment to realize it was an approximation of a toilet. He then drew a box with a stick figure of a girl inside it around the rune representing the toilet.

"I can think of a bunch of ways this can go wrong," Ginny said. "What part of the book was this in anyway?"

Harry didn't answer. As he completed the rune, he spoke one word. "Hermione."

The runic array hung on the air for a few moments before beginning to float down the hallway. Harry and Ginny followed it until they came to a girl's bathroom.

"Okay," Harry said as the runes faded. "I think I'll stay outside and watch for the creature."

Ginny grabbed his arm and yanked him inside. They made their way to a stall where they could hear sobbing.

Ginny knocked gently on the closed door.

"Go away," came a tear filled voice from the other side.

"I can't do that," Ginny said softly. "Listen, you have to get out of here."

"Why?" the voice asked.

"There's something coming. Professor Quirrell was injured by it."

"Very funny," the girl snapped. "You think I'm going to fall for that? Let me guess, there's a whole bunch of people outside and they'll laugh when I come running out, right?"

"No," Ginny said desperately.

"Okay," Hermione said sarcastically. "If there's really a creature coming what does it look like?"

"Kind of like a twelve foot fur covered bolder with wings," Harry said staring at the doorway.

Ginny spun around and saw a creature out of her worst nightmares. Harry was essentially right. It did look like a twelve foot bolder with wings, but he'd neglected to mention the long arms that swung just below its knees and the three fingered hands ending in foot long talons. It snapped long bony jaws revealing pointed teeth that could pass as daggers.

The creature let out a bellow and took a step forward. The claws on its massive foot gouged tracks in the tiles.

"Harry, what is that thing?"

"I've seen it in books. It's what happens when a low level demon and an earth elemental breed."

The creature roared again. In response, Harry drew Mortality. The sword glowed in the dim light of the bathroom.

Raising the sword, Harry leapt towards the creature. There was a clang and a shower of sparks as the sword struck its shoulder and bounced off. Harry landed nimbly on his feet behind the creature. He ducked as a massive wing came sweeping towards him.

Thrusting one palm out, Harry was just in time to create a shield of light. The impact still knocked him off his feet and sent him flying across the room. He crashed into the wall with a grunt. Looking up, he was just in time to block the creatures descending claw with Mortality. There was another clang and the screech of metal. Harry felt something nick his cheek as it flew past.

Looking down, his stomach dropped. Mortality had been cut neatly in two. Harry dropped the hilt and faced the creature. He was unable to avoid the clawed hand that swatted him into the wall. He felt his right arm break as he struck the stone. He slid down the wall, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

He lay sprawled on the ground, staring up at the creature towering above him. His chest felt as if it were on fire. It felt as if his left side was full of splinters. He had to get up. He had to protect Ginny and Hermione.

He screamed in agony as the creature lifted him off the ground. He could feel the bones in his broken ribs and broken arm grinding together.

The monster's roar sounded like triumphant laughter. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a pipe shatter against the creature's stony hide. The demon didn't even look around.

The monster lifted him higher and threw him into the air. He soared high, struck the ceiling, and fell to the ground. He tried to move, but white hot agony caused him to scream.

The creature lifted one foot preparing to stomp down and crush the life out of him. Distantly, he could hear Ginny and Hermione screaming.

Time seemed to slow. It felt as if liquid flame were coursing through his veins. He felt a sickening pain as the bones in his ribs and arm knit together. There was a minor stinging sensation as his various cuts vanished. Before he knew it, he was back on his feet and flipping backwards to avoid the demon's foot.

Lifting his hand, he watched as his fingernails lengthened and thickened becoming razor sharp claws.

His entire body itched. His eyes widened as grey fur sprouted on his arms and hands. He opened his mouth to cry out, but only a guttural snarl escaped. He could feel the bones in his head melting and stretching like taffy. His face reshaped, forming the muzzle of a wolf. He stood up, new strength flooding his body.

With a snarl, he launched himself at the demon, expecting his new claws to do no more than scrape across the demons rock-like skin.

Instead, his claws punched deep into the demon's shoulder. The beast let out a howl and swung one massive fist at his head. He leapt back, tearing his claws free with a wet ripping sound.

The demon shrieked again. Smoking black blood flowed from the wound, burning pits in the tiles where it touched.

Harry looked at the demon. There had to be a way to penetrate that hide. His claws could hurt it, but he wasn't big or strong enough to cause any real damage. As the creature roared again, he had an idea.

Reaching out with his mind, he summoned Mortalities broken blade to him. As the dull side of the blade landed in his clawed hand, he jumped at the creature. Flipping in the air, he landed on its back and wrapped his legs around it to keep from being thrown off.

The creature roared. It twisted and thrashed, trying to throw him off. Drawing back his arm, Harry waited until the creature's mouth was wide open in a roar then drove the blade into the roof of its mouth. Opening his jaws wide, he sank his teeth into the base of the creature's skull, feeling bone splinter under his fangs.

The creature's roar choked off. It' let out a gurgling scream and fell flat on its face with a thud that shook the whole room.

Harry leapt off the demon's back and walked over to Ginny and Hermione, both of whom were staring at him with wide eyes. As he walked, he could feel his muscles shrinking. The fur in claws melted away. By the time he reached them, he was normal again.

"Are you two okay?" He croaked.

Ginny stepped closer. "Harry?" she asked tentatively. "We are fine. Are you okay?"

Harry stumbled back a few steps. "Peachy," he said before everything went black.

XXX

When Harry opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was his Mother's face. He coughed. His throat felt as if someone had scoured it with sandpaper. Lily put a cup of water to his lips. Harry drank thirstily.

Lily smiled at him. "You did good. Hermione and Ginny are safe because of you."

"That's good," he said his voice was barely there. It was all he could do to manage a whisper. "Mum, what happened to me back there? It was like everything was in slow motion."

"I think it was your wolf. It awoke to save you from danger. I wouldn't be surprised if you heal far faster than you once did." She leaned forward and kissed his forehead. "You need to get some rest. We can talk about this later. I need to meet with the Grangers."

Harry nodded and leaned back against his pillows. "Mum," he called as she turned towards the door. She turned back to face him.

"I'm sorry about Dad's sword."

Lily walked over and stroked his hair back from his forehead. "It was broken in the act of saving lives. If it had to be broken, I think that's what your Father would've wanted."

Harry was too tired to argue. He could feel the world around him slipping away. Before he fell asleep again, Lily's voice floated through his mind.

"I love you son and I am so proud of you."